Hershel stopped to look in the mirror. He straightened his top hat, which he had put on in a rush. He checked, for the fifth time in the last hour, that the velvet box was in his pocket. He then got into the Laytonmobile, and started driving to the park.

He wasn't usually nervous for his outings with Claire. He so enjoyed their time together. This time was different, however. This time, this one time, could determine both of their futures. He pulled into the parking lot of the park and started walking down the cobblestone path. Claire was already there waiting for, leaning against a tall maple tree.

"Hello, Hershel," she said.

"I hope you haven't been waiting too long."

"Not at all. So, what do you have planned for us today?"

"If I tell you, it'll take the fun out of the whole ordeal, now won't it?" he teased. Come. I'll show you."

He walked over to a flowering willow tree, Claire following close behind, and sat beneath it. He opened his picnic basket and got out some small sandwiches.

"This is all very nice, Hershel," Claire told him. She was still wearing her lab coat, as she'd just come from her job as a lab assistant. At the lab a few months ago, her and her co-workers had been conducting a time traveling experiment. She had been so disappointed when it hadn't worked. Nothing had happened. Nothing at all. Not even a spark. They had recently started another project, however, and this one was quite time consuming.

"I'm glad you like it," he said, taking a bite out of his sandwich. "So, how is the experiment going?"

"It's going quite well, actually." Claire told him proudly.

"That's good to hear."

"And how is the new professor doing?" she asked him playfully.

"Very good." And then, for no reason at all, they both collapsed into a fit of laughter.

Once they had finished their sandwiches, Hershel repacked his picnic basket. He stood up and offered Claire his hand. She smiled and took it.

They walked around the pond, the crisp October air refreshing, not saying anything, merely enjoying each other's company. Hershel started getting nervous again. He glanced at Claire out of the corner of his eye. She was so happy. She looked absolutely beautiful with her hair down. He wondered, not for the last time, how the day would end.

They walked for a little while longer, around the pond, talking quietly. A little while later, they reached the fountain located at the far end of the pond. Claire loved this fountain. She sat down on its ledge, watching the October leaves sink down and rest on top of the pond. He stood next to her. It was now or never.

"Claire, have you ever thought about you want to do with your life?" he asked her.

"No, not really. I know what job I want, but other than that, I don't really have any plans. Have you, Hershel?"

"Yes. Quite often, recently." And with that he sank to the ground, on one knee, taking her hand in his, and opened the box he had been concealing in his pocket. The beautiful diamond ring glittered in the sunshine. "Life is a puzzle. But lucky for me, every puzzle has an answer. I love you, Claire. Will you marry me?"

The look of shock on Claire's face was obvious. She looked at Hershel, then at the ring, then back at Hershel. "I- yes. Yes"

"He slipped the ring on her finger, and she threw herself into his arms. He kissed her, then hugged her tightly, and neither let go, for several minutes.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you, too," she whispered back, as the silent tears rolled down her face.